venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈve-nə-məs 

1

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

venomous snakes

2

: full of venom: such as

a

: poisonous, envenomed

b

: noxious, pernicious

expose a venomous dope ring

—Don Porter

c

: spiteful, malevolent

venomous criticism

venomously adverb

venomousness noun

Synonyms

• poisonous
• poisoned
• poison

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake.

a venomous attack on his character

Recent Examples on the Web

Beckman said the owner had three venomous snakes inside the apartment, including an eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and a pair of African forest cobras. —Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025

According to the Mayo Clinic, 911 or local emergency authorities should be contacted immediately after a venomous snake bite. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Meet some of their favorite venomous and non-venomous snakes, including recent rescues from the local reptile community. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

How to identify venomous snakes The rattlesnake are the only native venomous snake in California, according to the University of California’s Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. —Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venimous, borrowed from Anglo-French venimus, venimous, from venim venom entry 1 + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

: having or producing venom

venomous snakes

venomously adverb

Medical Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

1

: poisonous

2

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

the vipers, pit vipers, and coral snakes are venomous